Surface marking apparatus



June 9, 1959 c. F. BROWN, JR

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SURFACE MARKING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 litowm my United States Patent 2,889,992 SURFACE MARKJN G APPARATUS Carl F. Brown, Jr., Huntingdon, Pa., 'assignor to Wald Industries, Inc., Huntingdon, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 29, 1957, Serial No. 655,722 15 Claims. (Cl. 239-69) The present invention relates to apparatus for marking a surface. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for continuously applying an mterrupted stripe or dash line to the surface of a road, highway, or the like.

This application is a continuation-inpart of my copending application Serial No. 508,920 filed May 17, 1955 entitled Surface Marking Apparatus now abandoned.

In the application of trafiic line stripes on a road, highway or street, it is desirable on occasions to interrupt the stripe at intervals to effect a dash line, that is, a line consisting of a series of spaced markings having predetermined lengths. It is also desirable, and sometimes necessary, to interrupt the cycle of the traflic line marking machine so that a dash line of a greater or smaller length than normal is applied to the surface being marked.

' Prior to the instant invention, dash or skip lines were applied to a surface either by manual control of a conventional striping machine or by special apparatus designed -to apply the interrupted marking in a predetermined sequence. Controlling the marking of a dash line bythe operator of the heretofore known line marking machines was a very difficult task and often resulted in lines of varying lengths. Although some of the heretofore known surface marking machines were designed to apply skip or dash lines, the results were not satisfactory and the machines themselves were complicated and difficult to operate, thereby being economically undesirable. Moreover, the cycling period of these heretofore known surface marking machines was not capable of being automatically interrupted during the application of the skip lines, and lines of varying lengths could not be applied without some difiiculty in maneuvering the controls of the machine.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for applying an interrupted line or marking to a surface that is relatively simple in operation, inexpensive and requiring little maintenance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for applying an interrupted marking on a surface whereby the cycle of the marking apparatus may be varied to effect varying lengths of the interrupted markings.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for applying an interrupted marking to a surface wherein a manually controlled device is employed for varying, discontinuing or returning the cycle of the surface marking machine to zero.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for applying an interrupted marking to a surface wherein a first manually controlled device is employed for varying the marking cycle and a second manually controlled device is employed for discontinuing and returning the cycle of the surface marking machine to zero.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide intermittent cycling apparatus for applying an interrupted line to a surface wherein a planetary gear train is included in the drive of the apparatus for effecting the operation thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a valve for controlling spray generating means wherein theoperation of the valve is intermittently controlled by the use of the apparatus which includes the planetary gear train.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the line mark- 7 ing apparatus and the means for intermittently controlling the operation thereof;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of one form of the intermittent cycling apparatus embodied in the present invention for controlling the operation of a paint gun to effect an interrupted marking on a surface;

Fig. 3- is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the intermittent cycling apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 showing the apparatus being operatively connected to a valve which is illustrated in section;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the intermittent cycling apparatus similar to Fig. 2 showing the position of the cycling control elements during the zero positioning operatio n;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the cam and valve structure of the intermittent cycling device showing the position of the cam and follower during the zero positioning operation and as illustrated in Fig. 9

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of the cycling device similar to Fig. 7 showing the location of the roller and cam after the zero positioning operation;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of a modified form of the intermittent cycling apparatus embodied in the present invention;

Fig. 13 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 12 with a portion cut away;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 1414 of Fig.'15; and

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 12 illustrating the position of the control elements during the zero positioning operation.

The present invention relates to road striping apparatus and particularly to that type of apparatus that is designed to apply a center line stripe or the like to a road or highway. The line striping machine which carries the apparatus embodied herein may be self-propelled or may be mounted on a trailer type vehicle that is coupled to the rear of a truck or the like. Referring now to Fig. l, the line marking apparatus that is adapted to be carried by the line striping machine is illustrated diagrammatically and includes a paint gun or generating means 10.

Communicating with the paint gun 10 is a line or conduit 12 that is adapted to convey paint from a paint receptacle 14. Compressed air is supplied to the paint gun 10 from a compressor (not shown), mounted on the striping machine through air lines 16 and 18. The air supplied -Fatented June 9, .1959

to the paint gun through air line 18 atomizes the paint and the atomized paint is ejected from the nozzle of the paint gun onto a surface 20 of a road or highway. The operation of the paint gun 10 is controlled by air supplied to a spring loaded valve (not shown) in the barrel of the paint gun, the air being conducted to the paint gun barrel through an air line 22 from an outlet port 24 of an air control valve 26. Air is supplied to the valve 26 through air line 16, a line 28 and an inlet port 30. The air control valve 26, which is operatively connected to the paintgun 10 is controlled in such a manner as to periodically interrupt the flow of air to the barrel of the paint gun 10. Atomized paint is thereby intermittently ejected from the paint gun nozzle to effect a skip or dash line as the paint striping machine is propelled in a forward direction. The operation of the air control valve 26 is controlled by an intermittent cycling control device 32 that includes a planetary gear train to be described hereinafter which is adapted to transfer the direct drive from a drive shaft 34 to a tubular cam shaft 36. The tubular cam shaft 36 engages a cam 38 which is adapted to reciprocate a link 40 connected to a cam follower 42. The link operatively engages a valve plunger 44 mounted for reciprocation in the valve 26 and is thereby adapted to alternately open and close the ports 24 and 30 to allow the air to be supplied to the paint gun barrel for causing intermittent operation of the paint gun.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the intermittent cycling control device 32 is illustrated, the elements thereof being located in the position for effecting a normal intermittent operating cycle of the valve 26. The control device 32 includes a housing construction that comprises a body 46 which is formed with an integral end wall 48 that includes a reduced tubular neck portion 50. An end wall 52 is secured to the other end of the body 46 and is formed with a tubular neck portion 54. Extending into the body 46 of the control device 32 is the drive shaft 34 that is operatively connected to and driven by a ground wheel or a convenient drive mechanism such as, for example, a gasoline engine carried by the striping machine (three parts that are not shown). Enveloping the drive shaft 34 in coaxial relation therewith and rotatable relative thereto is the tubular cam shaft 36, the cam shaft 36 extending through the neck portion 50 of the end wall 48 and rotatable therein. A thrust collar 56 is pinned to the drive shaft 34 and engages the end face of a cam element 58 that is secured for rotation to the cam shaft 36. A second cam element 60 is secured to the cam element 58 as will hereinafter be described, the cam elements 58 and 60 defining the cam 38 described in connection with Fig. 1. The drive shaft 34 extends into the interior of the body 46 of the control device 32 and secured to the end of the drive shaft by a pin 62 is a crank 64 that is provided with an opening for receiving the drive shaft 34 therein. A second opening spaced from the first opening is adapted to have a bearing 66 secured therein. Extending through the second opening in the crank 64 and engaging the bearing 66 is a countershaft 68, the countershaft 68 being positioned in parallel relation with respect to the drive shaft 34 and adapted to rotate therearound upon rotation of the crank 64. The countershaft 68 forms part of a planetary gear train that includes orbital gears 70 and 72 that are secured to the countershaft 68 and move in a planetary motion about the drive shaft 34 as an axis. The orbital gear 72 is secured to the countershaft 68 for rotation therewith and is spaced from the crank 64 by a collar 74. The orbital gear 72 engages a sun gear 76 that is secured for rotation to a control shaft 78, the control shaft 78 extending through a hearing 80 that is rotatably mounted in the end wall 52 of the control device housing construction 46. An end member 81 encloses .the bearing 80 and abuts against the tubular neck portion 54. Integrally joined to the tubular neck portion 54 is a split clamp83 that has an adjustment bolt 85' extendingtherethrough. The sun gear 76 is me vented from moving outwardly toward the end wall 52 by a collar 82 and the bearing is secured to the shaft 78 by a key 84 that provides for axial movement of the shaft 78 with respect to the bearing 80. Formed in the shaft 78 are annular grooves 86 and 88 which define operating positions of the control shaft and will be described more fully hereinafter in the description of the operation of the device. As shown in Fig. 2, a spring loaded detent 90 mounted in a threaded screw 92 extends through the end member 81 and engages the groove 86, the screw 92 being adjusted in position by an adjusting nut 94. Mounted on the outermost end of the control shaft 78 is a control wheel 96 that is adapted to rotate the control shaft 78 and as will hereinafter be described is adapted to move the shaft 78 axially to either discontinue the operation of the cycling mechanism or return the cycling mechanism to a zero position. The shaft 78 is restrained from rotation by the frictional contact of the split clamp 83, the adjustment bolt 85 being tightened as desired to prevent the shaft 78 from normally rotating. However, it is seen that when the striping cycle is to be varied, rotation of the control wheel 96 will overcome the frictional resistance of the clamp 83 and thereby cause rotation of shaft 78.

Referring again to the planetary gear train, the orbital gear 70 that is secured to the countershaft 68 is spaced from the crank 64 by a collar 98 and engages a second sun gear 180 that is spaced from the crank 64 by a collar 102. It is seen that upon rotation of the drive shaft 34, the crank 64 will rotate, thus carrying counte-rshaft 68 and orbital gears 70 and 72 therewith around the drive shaft 34 as an axis. As the drive shaft 34 rotates, the orbital gears 70 and 72, which engage the sun gears 76 and 100, respectively, will move in a planetary motion therearound.

Referring to Fig. 2, the orbital gear 72 is shown being formed with a lesser number of teeth than the sun gear 76 and thus, as the orbital gear 72 planetates around the sun gear 76, a relative movement will be effected between the two gears. Since the countershaft 68 is connected directly to the orbital gear 72, a relative movement of the counter-shaft 68 will also be effected, thereby resulting in rotation of the orbital gear 70 and sun gear 100. The sun gear 100 is secured to the cam shaft 36 and provides the drive therefor and since the cam elements 58 and 60 are secured to the cam shaft 36, rotation of the cam shaft results in rotation of the cam elements. The cam elements 58, 60 are adapted to be secured to one another so as to define a contour that will determine the length of the dash lines or stripes to be applied to the surface 20. As shown in Figs. 7, l0 and 11, the cam element 60 is formed with arcuate slots 104 in the face thereof. The arcuate slots 104 receive bolts 106 that are secured in the cam element 58. It is seen that the cam contour may be varied by rotating the cam element 60 with respect to the cam element 58, thereby increasing or decreasing the high portion of the cam which defines the air admitting position of the valve 26. As shown particularly in Figs. 7 and 11, the cam roller or follower 42 (see Fig. 1) engages the cam elements 58 and 60, the cam roller 42 rolling on the combined surfaces of the cam elements 58 and 60 and adapted to be moved in accordance with the contour of the cam elements. Operatively connected to the cam roller 42 is the link 40 that is pivoted at 108 and is thereby adapted to be reciprocated as the roller 42 follows the contour of the cam elements 58, 60. The end portion of the link 40 has an opening formed therein which receives a threaded bolt 110, the threaded bolt 110 having a head 112 formed on the lower end thereof. An adjustment nut 114 threadedly engages the bolt 110 and secures the bolt to the link 40. The head 112 of the bolt 110 engages a rest 116 formed on the uppermost end of the plunger 44 that is formed as part of the valve 26 (see Fig. 1). The plunger 44 extends through a plate 118' mounted on a housing 120 of the valve 26 and has an enlarged portion 122 secured thereto which slidably engages the walls of an opening 124 formed in the valve housing 120. A coil spring 126 is interposed between the rest 116 and the plate 118 and thereby resiliently mounts the plunger 44. Formed in the valve housing 120 is an inlet passage 128 and an outlet passage 130 that communicates with the inlet port 30 and outlet port 24, respectively. As described above, the inlet port 30 communicates with a source of compressed air through an air line 28 and is adapted to direct the compressed air into the valve housing. Communicating with the inlet passage 128 is a chamber 132 which has mounted therein a piston 134. As seen in Fig. 8, a plurality of passages 136 are defined by the walls of the piston 134 and the chamber 132 which provide for the escape of air therethrough. The piston 134 is further formed with a hole 138 in the bottom thereof thatreceives a spring 140 therein. The spring 140 also extends into a hole 142 that is formed in a plug 144 located in the lowermost portion of the valve housing 120. A small rod 146 extends through the spring 140 and into the plug 144 and is adapted to retain the spring in position. It is seen that the lower end of the plunger 44 indicated at 148 will contact the upper end of the piston 134 and force the piston 134 downwardly when the plunger 44 is moved downwardly by the link 40. A chamber 150 communicates with the chamber 132 and with the outlet passage 130 and thus when the piston 134 is forced downwardly, the chamber 132 communicates with the chamber 150 through the passages 136 and the compressed air directed into the chamber 132 through the inlet passage 128 will then be directed into the chamber 150 and outwardly therefrom'through the outlet passage 130 and outlet port 24.

' In the operation of the device, it is seen that the rotation of the cam elements 58, 60 will cause the cam follower 42 to reciprocate the link 40 in sequence, thereby reciprocating the plunger 44 of the valve 26 in a predetermined manner. Thus, the compressed air will be admitted to the paint gun inter-.

mittently and the paint will be ejected from the paint gun onto the surface 20 in an intermittent manner to apply a dash or skip line thereon.

During the application of the skip line to the surface being marked, it is sometimes desirable to vary the cycle of the air control valve 26 so that a line shorter or longer than the normal line may be applied. Thus, the

speed of the cam 38 will be increased or decreased with;

respect to the normal speed thereof. In order to vary the speed of the cam, thus varying the cycle of the spraying operation, a manual control is provided and includes the control handle 96 manual control operation is as follows: Referring to Fig. 2, the handle 96 is rotated in a desired direction, overcoming the frictional resistance of clamp 83, either counterclockwise or clockwise, and in accordance with the speedof the cam desired, thereby causing the sun gear 76 to be moved relatively to the orbital gear 72. Th'e'orbital gear 72 is then caused to be speeded up or slowed down with respect to the sun gear 76, thereby causing speed of rotation of the countershaft 68 to be varied and, consequently, varying the speed of rotation of the cam shaft 36 and the cam elements 58, 60. This causes the link 40 to be reciprocated either faster or slower and the operation of the valve 26 is eifected accordingly. By varying the operating cycle of the valve, the paint gun will thereby be controlled to spray either a longer or shorter skip line on the surface to be marked.

oftentimes it is desirable to discontinue the surface marking operation, and it is seen that if the rotation of'thecam 38 is stopped, the operation of the valve will be 'discontinued. In order to carry out this operation,

the handle 96 is moved from the solid line position shown in=-Fig-. 2 to the dotted line position illustrated therein.

lathe :dottedlineposition of the handle 96, the shaft,

a predetermined and control shaft 78. The

the inoperative position thereof. Since the handle 96 is moved inwardly, the control shaft 78 is axially moved so that the sun gear 76 is moved out of engagement with the orbital gear 72, taking the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Since the sun gear 76 is moved out of engagement with the orbital gear 72, the countershaft 68 will continue to rotate but will not deliver a driving force to shaft 36 and, accordingly, the cam shaft 36 will cease to rotate, thereby interrupting the operation of the valve 26.

Once the normal cycle of the device has been changed, if it is desired to return to this normal cycle, the cam roller 42 must be positioned in the zero position on the cam elements 58, 60 to start the normal cycling of the device. In order to reset the roller 42 in the zero or starting position, the handle 96 is moved axially toward the left, as seen in Fig. 2 beyond the dotted line position of the sun gear 76 to the position shown in Fig. 9.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the sun gear 76 has contacted the crank 64 and has moved the crank 64 along with the countershaft 68 and orbital gears 70, 72 in an axial direction toward the left. As the crank 64 moves toward the left, a spring 152, that is positioned around the cam shaft 36, is contacted. The spring 152 engages a disc 154 that is secured for rotation to the cam shaft 36 by a key 156. As the planetary gear train is moved to the left, the spring is compressed against the disc 154 and a plunger 158 joined to the end of the countershaft 68 is moved into engagement with an opening 160 formed in the plate 154. Since the plate 154 is locked to the cam shaft 36 by the key 156, it is seen that the drive shaft 34, which rotates the crank, is directly connected to the plate 154 through the countershaft 68 and will thereby rotate the cam shaft 36 at the speed of the drive shaft 34. When the crank 64 is moved axially to the position shown in Fig. 9, the drive shaft 34 and camshaft 36 are also moved axially which moves the cam elements 58, 60 out of engagement with the roller 42 to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In this position, the roller 42 has fallen mal cycle, the cam elements must be rotated to that position WlllCll defines the low point thereof with respect to the roller 42. This position defines the starting or zero cycling position of the device. Since the drive shaft 34' is rotating the cam elements 58, 60 directly, the low point of the cam elements will be quickly reached. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the low point of both the cam elements 58, 60 has reached the cam roller 42 and the roller 42 has moved onto the surface of the cam elements 58, 60 and, since the operator has removed his 'hand from the control wheel 96 at this time, the spring 152 returns the cam elements 58, 60, drive shaft 34, cam shaft 36 and the planetary gear train to the neutral position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The countershaft 68 is thereby disengaged from the plate 154 and this disengages the direct drive from the drive'shaft 34 to the plate 154. In order to insure that the roller 42 will be picked up by the cam elements at the low point thereof, a pin 161 is provided and is secured to the end wall 48 at a point to hold link 40 and cam roller 42 in the proper position for enabling the cam elements 58, 60 to pick up the cam roller 42 (see Fig. 7). Once the handle 96 is moved inwardly, the return of the control device to the neutral position is automatically accomplished since the spring 152 will urge the cam shaft 36 and crank 64 as soon as the cam roller 42 moves from the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 into contact with the contoured edges of the cam elements 58, 60. As shown in Fig. 11,

the cam roller 42 has been picked up ;by the cam e1e-' ments and control wheel 96 has been manually moved' axially from neutral position to the normal operating position, whereupon the normal cycling operation begins. Rotation of the drive shaft 34 will then result in relative rotation of the cam shaft 36. The valve 26 will be intermittently operated to direct compressed air to the paint gun and a normal length skip line will be applied. to the surface 20.

It is seen that the length of the skip line may be conveniently varied by rotating the cam element 60' with respect to the camelement 58, thereby increasing or decreasing the high point of the cam elements. The plunger 44' of the valve 26 will thus be depressed for a greater or shorter period of time to lengthen or shorten the period of supplying compressed air to the paint gun 10.

Referring now to Figs. 12-15, a modified form of the cycling control device. is illustrated and is indicated generally at 170. The cycling control device 170 includes a housing 172 that is similar in construction to the housing 46 shown in Fig. 2 and includes a reduced tubular neck portion 174, an integral end wall 176 and a removable end wall 178 that is formed with suitable openings for receiving the control shafts of the cycling manualcontrol member which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Extending into the housing 172 through the. tubular neck portion 174 is a drive shaft 180 that is operatively connected to and driven by a convenient source of power. Enveloping the drive shaft 180 in coaxial relation therewith and rotatable relative thereto is a. tubular. cam shaft 182. The cam shaft 182 is journalled in a bushing 184 which extends through the tubular neck portion 174'. Formed in the outer end of the cam shaft 182: is a reduced outer end 186 that is separated from the drive shaft 180 by a bushing 188 in which the. drive shaft 180 is journalled. A thrust collar 190 is pinned to the drive shaft 180 and engages the end face of a hub 192 which is secured to the cam shaft 182 and to which is'secured a cam element 194. A secondcam element 196 is secured to the cam element 194 and is adjustable with respect thereto as described above in connection with the cam elements 58, 60.

Secured to the end of the drive shaft within the housing:172 is a crank 198 that is pinned to the drive shaft in the same manner that crank 64 is fastened to the drive shaft 34. See Fig. 2. The crank 198 is provided with a plurality of openings (not shown) each of which receives a countershaft 199 (Fig. 14) which are spaced 120 apart. Planetary pinions 200 are secured to an end of each of the countershafts by hubs 202 formed integral with the gears 200 and collars 204 are provided to space the planetary pinions from the crank 198. The planetary pinions 200 engage. a central or sun gear 206 that is secured to the end of an adjustment shaft 208, the shaft 208 being mounted for axial movement in a tubular sleeve 210 that extends through the end wall 178. The shaft 208 is secured to the tubular sleeve 210 by a key 212 that extends into a spline or keyway 214 formed in the shaft 208. However, the shaft 208 is axially movable with respect to the tubular sleeve 210 during the control operation, as will be described hereinafter. Mounted on the tubular sleeve 210 for rotation therewith is a relatively large gear 216 that is positioned within the housing 172 and is spaced from the end wall 178 by a collar 228 that envelopes the tubular sleeve 210. A small pinion gear 218 meshes with the gear 216 and is secured to the outer end of a control shaft 220 that extends through an opening in the end wall 178 and is journalled for rotation in a tubular member 222. A hand wheel 224 is secured, to the other end of the control shaft 220 and is adapted to rotate the control shaft 220 to vary the cam operating cycle, as will hereinafter be described.

An end member 226 encloses the sleeve 210 and abuts against a tubular member 228 on which is integrally joined.

a. splitclamp 230. A boltj 232 extends through thesplit clamp-230 andfiictionally secures, the clamp around. the

sleeve 210, thereby preventing the sleeve 210 from normally-rotating. Secured to the outer end of the adjustment shaft 208 is a pair of collars 234 and 236 between which a yoke 238 is connected. The legs of the yoke are pivotally secured to both sides of a bracket 240 that is mounted on the tubular member 222. The yoke 238 has a handle 242 integrally joined to the legs thereof and the shaft 208 is thus axially movable upon pivotal movement of'the handle 242. Formed in the shaft 208 are annular grooves 244 and 246 which define operating positions of the adjustment shaft 208. A detent 248 extends through the end of the end member 226 and is adapted to engage the grooves 244, 246.

. Referring again to the planetary gear system, each of the countershafts 199 has secured to the other end thereof.

a planetary pinion 250 which engages a sun gear 252 that is secured to the inner end of the cam shaft 182.

One of the countershafts 199 extends beyond the planetary pinions 250 to define an extension 254. The extension 254 has a small key 256 formed on the outer end thereof which normally rides on the face of a plate 258 that is joined to a hub 260, the hub 260 being secured.

for rotation with the cam shaft 182. Formed in the plate 258 is a slot 262 into which the key 256 is adapted to be inserted. In order to maintain the crank 198 andv the planetary assembly in a biased position when the,

cam is returned to a zero position, a spring 263 is positioned between a collar 264 that is secured to the cam.

shaft 182 and the plate 258.

Extending through the crank 198 is a pin 265, one end of which abuts against the plate 258. Pivotally secured to the other end of the pin 265 is a lock finger 266 that is also p-ivotally mounted on the crank 198 at 268 and isv adapted to contact the shaft 208 and engage the gear 206 for preventing the control handle accidentally returned to the original position thereof when the cam is being returned to a zero position, as will be described hereinafte The cam control members in the modified form of the invention are similar in construction to the elements shown in Fig. 7 and as illustrated in Fig. 13 include the cam elements 194, 196, adjustment bolts 270 that are movable in slots 272, cam roller 274, link 276 and threaded bolt 278 that is formed with a head 280 for contacting a rest 282. The rest 282 is formed on the uppermost end of a valve plunger 284 that extends into a valve housing 286. A spring 288 is connected to the link 276 for drawing the cam roller 274 into intimate contact with the surfaces of the cam elements 194, 196.

Inoperation of the device shown in Figs. 12-15, the cam shaft 182 is normally driven by the drive shaft which is operatively connected to the cam shaft through the crank 198 and planetary system. Since the planetary gears 200 are formed with a different number of teeth than the sun gear 206, the planetary gears move relative to the sun gear 206, carrying the countershafts 199 therewith. Movement of the countershafts causes rotation of the pinions 250 which, in turn, rotate the sun gear 252 and the cam shaft 182 secured thereto.

If it is desired to vary the operating cycle of the cam elements, the hand wheel 224 is rotated, which rotates the pinion 218. The gear 216 is then rotated overcoming the frictional resistance of clamp 230 on the sleeve 210,

thereby causing the sun gear 206 to be rotated. The

tinued, the handle 242 is moved to the left, as seen in Fig. 12, thereby axially moving the adjustment shaft 208 therewith. The sungear 206 is thus moved out of engage-- ment with the planetary pinions 200 to the dotted line position shown in. Fig. 12. Since the sun gear is moved 242 from being,

9 out of engagement with the planetary pinions 200, the countershafts 199 will continue to rotate but will not deliver a-driving torque to the cam shaft 182 and accordingly the cam shaft will discontinue rotating, thereby discontinuing the operation of the cam elements and the cam controlled valve.

If it is desired to return to the normal operating cycle, that is, return the cam elements to the original or zero position, the handle 242 is pushed further to the left, as seen in Fig. 12, to the position shown in Fig. 15. The'end of the shaft 208 in this operation is forced against the crank 198 and moves the crank along with the cam shaft 182 and the entire planetary assembly to the left, against the action of the spring 263. The cam roller 274 then falls behind the cam elements 194, 196,

preventing the return of the assembly until the low point on the cam elements reaches the roller. In this position the key 256 is forced into the slot 262 formed in the plate 258 and the drive shaft 180 then drives the cam shaft directly through the crank 198 and the plate 258.

In order to prevent the-sun gear 206 from accidentally sliding back into engagement with the planetary pinions 200, the lock finger 266 moves into the position shown in Fig. as the .crank and planetary assembly are moved to the .left. The. end of the finger contacts the collar of the sun gear 206 and .since the lock finger is prevented from pivoting due to the interconnection with the pin 265 that abuts against the plate 258, the sun gear 206 will be maintained in the inoperative position. When the cam roller 274 reaches the low point of the cam elements 194, 196 or the zero position of the operating cycle, the cam elements are released and the cam shaft 182, planetary assembly, sun gear 206 and adjustment shaft are automatically returned to their original position by the spring 263. The operation of the device then continues as before and the valve will be intermittently operated to cause a predetermined skip line to be applied to the surface.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for marking a surface, means for generating a spray of paint, a valve operatively connected to said paint generating means for intermittently controlling the operation thereof, cam means operatively engaging said valve and controlling the flow of control fluid therethrough, said cam means being formed with a predetermined contour to define an operating cycle, a cam shaft secured to said cam for causing rotation thereof, a planetary gear drive operatively connected to said cam shaft for imparting a driving motion thereto, a drive shaft drivingly engaging said planetary gear drive, said planetary gear drive including a sun gear, at least one planetary gear engaging said sun gear, a countershaft secured to said planetary gear, and means operatively engaging said countershaft for transferring motion therefrom to said cam shaft, and control means operatively engaging said sun gear, said control means including a control member that is rotatable to effect the movement of said sun gear for varying the rotation thereof, whereby the operating cycle of said cam means is altered to vary the marking operation.

2. In apparatus for marking a surface, a mobile support, means mounted on said support for generating a spray of marking material, valve means operatively connected to said paint generating means for controlling the operation thereof, cam means operatively associated with said valve means and controlling the flow of a control medium therethrough, said cam means being formed with a predetermined contour to define an operating cycle, a cam shaft operatively engaging said cam spray of marking material, valve means operatively con-' means and imparting rotation thereto, a planetary gear drive drivin'gly engaging said cam shaft, a drive shaft responsive to movement of said mobile support and drivingly engaging said planetary gear drive, and control means operatively engaging said planetary gear drive for controlling the movement thereof, said control means including a control member that is rotatable to effect the movement of said planetary geardrive, whereby the operating cycle of said cam means is altered to vary the marking operation. v

3.;.Inapparatus as set means including a first controlmember for varying the rotational speed of said cam shaft, and a second control member for discontinuing the rotation of said cam shaft to stop the striping operation and to return said cam meansto a zero :position.

4. In apparatus for marking a surface, a mobile support, means mounted on said support for generating a nected to said paint generating means for controlling the operation thereof, cam-means operatively associated with' said valve means and controlling the flow of a control medium therethrough, said cam means being formed with a predetermined contour for defining an operating cycle, a cam shaft operatively engaging said cam means for imparting .rotation thereto, a planetary gear drive driving'ly engaging said cam -shaft and including a sun gear and at least one planetary gear, a drive shaft drivingly engaging said planetary gear drive and responsive to movement of said mobile support to cause operating movement of said sun gear and planetary gear, and control means operatively engaging said sun gear, said control means including a control member that is rotatable to effect the rotation of said sun gear with respect to said planetary gear and thereby varying at least a portion of the operating cycle of said cam means.

5. In apparatus as set forth in claim 4, said cam shaft being located in coaxial relation and encircling said drive shaft.

6. In apparatus as set forth in claim 4, said planetary gear drive being longitudinally movable by said control member, and resilient means positioned around said drive shaft and operatively engaging said planetary gear train to normally retain said planetary gear train in the operating position thereof.

7. In apparatus as set forth in claim 6, a plate engaging said cam shaft, said planetary gear being mounted on a countershaft on which is formed a key, said key being adapted to engage said plate upon the longitudinal shifting of said planetary gear drive to directly connect said drive shaft with said cam shaft, whereby rotation of said drive shaft quickly returns said cam shaft to the zero position thereof.

8. In apparatus as set forth in claim 4, said planetary gear drive being longitudinally movable, and additional control means engaging said sun gear for axially shifting said sun gear out of engagement with said planetary gear for discontinuing the marking operation, and movable a further predetermined distance axially to return said cam means to a zero position.

9. In apparatus as set forth in claim 8, a plate engaging said cam shaft, said planetary gear being mounted on a countershaft on which is formed a key, said key being adapted to engage said plate upon the longitudinal shifting of said planetary gear drive to directly connect said drive shaft with said cam shaft, whereby rotation of said drive shaft quickly returns said cam shaft to the zero position thereof.

10. In apparatus as set forth in claim 8, resilient means positioned around said drive shaft and operatively engaging said planetary gear train to normally retain said planetary gear in the operating position thereof.

11. In apparatus as set forth in claim 8, means associated with said planetary gear train for engaging said sun gear in the axially shifted position thereof for retaining forth in claim 2, said control aid sun gear o t of engag ment with said planetary gea rain uring the turn of id cam means o the zero position thereof.

12, In apparatus for marking a surface, a driveshaft, a driven shaft coaxial with and encircling said drive shaft, a driven member secured to said driven shaft and defining the cycle of the marking operation, a planetary gear train for causing rotation of said driven shaft, said planetary gear train including a crank securedto said drive shaft, a countershaft spaced from said drive shaft and rotatably extending through said crank, an orbital gear secured to one end of said countershaft, a sun gear engaging said orbital gear and having a different number of gear teeth than said orbital gear, a second orbital gear secured to said countershaft adjacent the otherend thereof, and a second sun gear engaging said second orbital gear, said second sun gear being secured to said driven shaft, said countershaft and orbital gears rotating about said sun gears and drive shaft and being driven by said drive shaft, said countershaft being relatively rotatable with respect to said crank due to the variation of the number of teeth in the first orbital and sun gears, the relative rotation of said countershaft causing rotation of said driven shaft and said driven member.

13. In apparatus for marking a surface as set forth in claim 12, Where in a control member is secured to said first sun gear, said control member being rotatable to 12 au ot tion of said fir un gear elat o a d first rbi al gear, he rel i e ro at on of id r t sun and orbital gears causing a corresponding relative rotation of; said countershaft, thereby varying the rotation of said driven shaft and said driven member.

14. In apparatus for marking a surface as set forth in claim 12, wherein said control member-is adapted to be moved axially to move said first sun gear outof engagement with said first orbital gear, thereby discontinuing the rotation Qfsaid countershaft, the rotation of said driven shaft and driven member thereby being suspended.

15. In apparatus for marking a surface as set forth in claim 12,. wherein said control member is adapted to be moved axially to cause said first sun gear to engage said crank, said crank thereby being moved axially to cause axial movement of said driven shaft, the axial movement of said driven shaft causing said driven mem-, her to be reset to a zero position, the zero position defin-. ing the origin of the marking cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,762,198 Shore June 10, 1930 2,296,892 Andrew Sept. 29, 1942 2,301,848 Beaman Nov. 10, 1942 2,345,076 Spencer Mar. 28, 1944 

